Castor fiber, European Beaver

Beavers are well known for their building skills. Beavers are safer from predators in the water. They build dams across rivers using mud, stones and sticks. This slows the river down, forming a pond. They build their home (‘lodge’) in the pond, with logs and branches. The entrance to the lodge is underwater, keeping out predators. They also store food underwater so that it is safe from other animals during the winter. Beavers can also build canals to link up ponds.